Captain C.R. Huebner assumed command of the 2d Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment during the battle at Cantigny, France, May 28, 1918. "I Have Assumed Command" painting by James Dietz

When the U.S. Army went "over there" to France in 1918, the situation was grim and desperate. the British and French had lost millions of men and the Germans had just came within miles of winning the war with Hutier stoosstroop (stormtroop) small unit infiltration tactics, ironically a French creation by CPT LaFarge but ignored by the Allies.

The pressure was on to just send the Americans into battle as replacements into British/French Divisions. Fortunately General "Black Jack" Pershing refused and insisted we "get our act together" and fight our own battles.

To prove we could, we chose the town of Catigny, France on an elevated ridge and rehearsed and rehearsed until our attack plan was flawless. As the rolling barrages of artillery swept forward, Infantrymen of the "Big Red One" 1st Infantry Division went over the top of their trench lines and took the town. Fighting off German counter-attacks, the town was held with heavy casualties.

The U.S. Army would lead its own men into battle with some Mc units assigned, and the war would end sooner because of it.